NEWTON, Texas — Newton County has been awarded a $13 million grant by the state.
The grant will go towards a brand new Expo Center located right off Highway 87.
County leaders applied for the grant back in 2018. And last month, the Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham visited Newton County Leaders and gave Newton County Judge Ronny Cochran a check in the amount of $13,627.000.00.
The grant is to build a community center and shelter. The initial concept is for an expo and multi use type center benefiting all Newton County citizens.
Right off of Highway 87, next to the old county jail, is a plot of land that Newton County officials are envisioning as the place for a new Expo Center.
Excitement is in the air in the Newton community since this addition will generate growth in the community from bringing in extra revenue to hiring people to fill jobs this project will bring along with it.
Newton County Judge Ronny Cochran says it's going to be a big boost to Newton County's economy.
"We plan on building a facility that will benefit every citizen of Newton County. We could have those stock shows or animal shows, we could host them there," he said.
"Basically like an expo center type that other counties have. You know and be able to host all different types of events, and just bring people in from all over."
Which will give the 12,000 population of Newton County a place to shelter-in-place during natural disasters.
"This place can hold up to 300 people in case of emergencies, we are excited for the amount of help we can offer the community," Cochran said.
Help isn't the only thing the Expo Center can offer. Hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of people to upkeep the building will be available.
"People are moving to orange county, so we are excited to get this opportunity, for growth," he said.
While this project is starting to pick up momentum, city officials don't expect construction to start until summer of 2024.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.